Primary tabs
Transcription
[Page 24]
land, and two or more men allowed to clear and work it for a certain space of time is another object. And if in the agreement any buildings are to be erected, or moreover to be furnished with any other necessaries, the hopes are still greater.
What the public ration has been of late I have already mentioned. The labor from the men is scarce equal to half that, which is done by a day laborer in England who has from 9 to 12s per week, allowing the quantity to be done by each man per day or week, as stated and regulated by government. The men will want good looking after, and it is not unlikely that they have ever been much accustomed to hard work, which makes the case the worse. But they are in general permitted to change them. But if any buildings are to be erected, they will cause a great time in doing, and it is doubtful if ever they are finished, as the delays are past bearing; and if procuring other articles the same may nearly be said.
If any of them have a little money when they first embark in such an undertaking, it is probably, by the length of the voyage, wanting necessaries, delays &c. exhausted by their arrival. Also by not knowing what are the necessary articles which are most wanted, and that barter or paying in